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Pinched Nerve

Cervical & Lumbar Radiculopathy

When a nerve root in your spine is pinched, the pain, numbness, and weakness travel along that nerve — into your arm, or down your leg. Each nerve has its own signature pattern. Use the interactive mapper below to explore which nerve causes which symptoms.

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Medically reviewed by Jonathan G. Hobbs, M.D. · Updated June 2026

What Is Radiculopathy?

Radiculopathy is the medical word for a pinched or compressed nerve root — the point where a nerve branches off the spinal cord and exits the spine. Because each nerve root supplies a specific zone of skin and a specific set of muscles, a pinched nerve produces a predictable, traceable pattern of radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. That pattern is often what tells Dr. Hobbs exactly which nerve is involved.

Interactive — find the nerve

The Nerve-Level Map

Choose neck or low back, then tap a nerve level to see its signature pattern.

These are classic patterns for education. Real symptoms can overlap or vary — only an examination and imaging can confirm the level. If you have sudden severe weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, seek care immediately or call 911.

What Pinches the Nerve?

Herniated Disc
Disc material pushes out and presses directly on the nerve root — the most common cause
Bone Spurs & Stenosis
Age-related bone spurs or thickened ligament narrow the opening (foramen) the nerve passes through
Degeneration
Disc height loss over time crowds the nerve where it exits the spine
Injury
Trauma — including work and vehicle injuries — can herniate a disc or fracture bone near the nerve
Herniated disc · Spinal stenosis · Sciatica

How Dr. Hobbs Pinpoints the Nerve

Focused Examination

By testing your sensation, strength, and reflexes, Dr. Hobbs can often identify the exact nerve level from the pattern alone — the same map shown in the tool above.

MRI

An MRI confirms what is compressing the nerve — a herniated disc, bone spur, or narrowing — and at which level, so treatment is precisely targeted.

EMG / Nerve Studies

When the picture is unclear, nerve-conduction and EMG studies can confirm which nerve is irritated and rule out other causes.

Treatment: Conservative First

The good news is that most radiculopathy improves without surgery. Dr. Hobbs starts with the least invasive approach that fits your situation and escalates only when needed.

Nonsurgical Care

  • Activity modification and time — many flare-ups settle on their own
  • Physical therapy to relieve pressure and build support
  • Anti-inflammatory and nerve-pain medication
  • Epidural steroid injections to calm the irritated nerve

When Surgery Helps

If pain persists despite conservative care, or there is progressive weakness, relieving the pressure on the nerve is highly effective. Options include:

  • Microdiscectomy — remove the disc fragment pinching the nerve
  • Foraminotomy — widen the opening the nerve exits through
  • ACDF — for cervical nerves, remove the disc and stabilize the level
Microdiscectomy & laminectomy · Minimally invasive surgery · Understand your MRI

Why Choose Dr. Hobbs

Nerve-Focused Expertise
As a neurosurgeon, Dr. Hobbs specializes in the nerves themselves — finding and freeing the exact one causing your symptoms
Minimally Invasive
Tissue-sparing, microscope- and navigation-guided techniques for smaller incisions and faster recovery
Conservative-First
Nonsurgical options are explored first; surgery is recommended only when it is the right answer
Elite Training
University of Kentucky medical degree; neurosurgery residency at the University of Chicago, serving as chief resident

Frequently Asked Questions

Radiculopathy is the medical term for a pinched or compressed spinal nerve root. Because each nerve root travels to a specific area of the body, the symptoms radiate in a predictable pattern — down the arm for a cervical (neck) nerve, or down the leg for a lumbar (low back) nerve. It commonly causes radiating pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness.
Cervical radiculopathy comes from a pinched nerve in the neck and causes symptoms in the shoulder, arm, and hand. Lumbar radiculopathy comes from a pinched nerve in the lower back and causes symptoms in the buttock, leg, and foot — sciatica is a common form of lumbar radiculopathy. Dr. Hobbs treats both.
The most common causes are a herniated disc pressing on the nerve and bone spurs or thickened ligament narrowing the opening (foramen) where the nerve exits — often part of age-related degeneration. Less commonly, it can be caused by trauma, tumors, or infection. Dr. Hobbs identifies the exact cause with an examination and imaging.
Most radiculopathy improves with nonsurgical care — activity modification, physical therapy, medication, and sometimes epidural steroid injections. When symptoms persist or there is progressive weakness, surgery to relieve the pressure on the nerve (such as a microdiscectomy, foraminotomy, or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion) is highly effective. Dr. Hobbs recommends surgery only when it is the right answer.
Yes. Jonathan G. Hobbs, M.D. is a board-certified neurosurgeon who diagnoses and treats cervical and lumbar radiculopathy, using minimally invasive, nerve-focused techniques when surgery is needed. He practices at Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, with offices in Crown Point, Chesterton, and Portage, Indiana.

Get to the Root of Your Pain

If radiating arm or leg pain is interfering with your life, Dr. Hobbs can identify exactly which nerve is involved and build a plan to relieve it. Call today to schedule a consultation.

(219) 250-5010

Monday – Friday · 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Crown Point Office

500 E. 109th Avenue
Crown Point, IN 46307

Chesterton Office

601 Gateway Boulevard
Chesterton, IN 46304